European Robin - Pictures and facts - Birds @ thewebsiteofeverything.com Fish European Robin The European Robin , most commonly known in Anglophone Europe simply as the Robin, is a small insectivorous passerine bird that was formerly classed as a member of the thrush family , but is now considered to be an Old World flycatcher . Around 12.5–14.0 cm in length, the male and female are similar in colouration, with an orange breast and face lined with grey, brown upperparts and a whitish belly. It is found across Europe, east to Western Siberia and south to North Africa; it is sedentary in most of its range except the far north. Picture of the European Robin has been licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike . Original source: originally posted to Flickr as Singing for spring - Version 2 Author: Ernst ViknePermission(Reusing this file)This image, which was originally posted to Flickr.com, was uploaded to Commons using Flickr upload bot on 10:19, 16 April 2010 (UTC) by Snowmanradio (talk). On that date it was licensed under the license below.

This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic license.You are free:to share – to copy, distribute and transmit the work The European Robin is classified as Least Concern. Does not qualify for a more at risk category. Widespread and abundant taxa are included in this category. The European Robin (Erithacus rubecula), most commonly known in Anglophone Europe simply as the Robin, is a small insectivorous passerine bird that was formerly classed as a member of the thrush family (Turdidae), but is now considered to be an Old World flycatcher (Muscicapidae). Around 12.5–14.0 cm (5.0–5.5 in) in length, the male and female are similar in colouration, with an orange breast and face lined with grey, brown upperparts and a whitish belly. More European robins have brown legs and their tail is bluntly square. They have large, black eyes and a small black bill. European robins have a lovely warm, warble that consists of a melodic rippling of notes.

In autumn and winter, some say their song becomes more mournful and melancholy than it is in spring and summer. Their call is a sharp, highly pitched 'twick' or 'tick' that can be repeated in a series of rapid outbursts. More The European Robin (Erithacus rubecula) or - in Europe - simply Robin is a small passerine bird that was formerly classed as a member of the thrush family, but is now considered to belong to the Old World flycatchers (Muscicapidae). European Robins and similar small European species are often called chats. It occurs all over Europe to Western Siberia, south to Algeria and on the Atlantic Ocean as far as the Azores and Madeira. In the south east, it reaches the Caucasus range. More The European Robin was one of the many species originally described by Linnaeus in his 18th century work, Systema Naturae, under the name of Motacilla rubecula. Its specific epithet rubecula is a diminutive derived from the Latin ruber 'red'.

The genus Erithacus was created by French naturalist Georges Cuvier in 1800, giving the bird its current binomial name of E. rubecula. More song, the European Robin Erithacus rubecula is a familiar and much-loved species across most of the country - so well-known and well-regarded that it was chosen as Britain’s National Bird in a public ballot in 1960, was overwhelmingly voted favourite garden bird in an online poll run by the The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) in 2004, and also won a Gold Medal Award after being voted Scotland’s favourite bird in the RSPB Scotland Centenary Awards. More European Robin is really the king of the gardens. Rather solitary outside the breeding season, it is very close to us in winter, begging some bread crumbs at the kitchen’s door. It will consume also insects, worms, fruits, seeds, and will sing for us in at dawn as soon as the spring begins. Its melodious song charms us even if it awakes us! According to the areas, it is sedentary or migratory.

More * European robin, or robin redbreast (Erithacus rubecula). European robin, or robin redbreast (Erithacus rubecula). More European RobinsThis tiny bird is a member of the thrush family, about 5 inches (13) cm long. It is very distinctive with its brown head and back, orange/red breast, pale belly, long legs and short tail. Robins are a common sight in the woodland, parks and gardens but they are very territorial. They feed on insects, fruits, seeds and worms. More European Robin has been listed as one of the Natural sciences good articles under the good article criteria. If you can improve it further, please do so. If it no longer meets these criteria, you can delist it, or ask for a reassessment. More The national bird of the United Kingdom, the European robin is a compact songbird and a common sight in many gardens, woodlands and backyards. Despite their amiable appearance, however, these can be very aggressive and territorial birds. More and decorations like the European Robin does in Europe.

The Australian "robin redbreast", more correctly the Scarlet Robin, is more closely related to the crows and jays than it is to the European Robin. Links * * * * * Listen to the robin at More The European Robin - a symbol of Christmas - Here in the UK, few things say Christmas quite as much as the European robin. You'll find this favourite British bird on greetings cards, Christmas cakes, tree ornaments and decorations everywhere. In fact, the Christmas greetings card has its origins in Victorian England, so it is no surprise that the robin became one of the most popular Christmas motifs. More A European robin, Erithacus rubecula An American robin, Turdus migratorius Pronunciation * (UK) IPA: /ˈrɒb.ɪn/, SAMPA: /"rQb.In/ * Audio (US) Play sound (file) Rhymes: -ɒbɪn * (GenAm) IPA: /ˈrɑb.ɪn/, SAMPA: /"rAb. More European robin, or robin redbreast (Erithacus rubecula).

The European robin, or robin redbreast, is a chat-thrush (subfamily Saxicolinae) that breeds throughout Europe, western Asia, and parts of North Africa. It is migratory in northern Europe but only partially so or sedentary farther south. It is a plump, small-billed bird, 14 cm (5.5 inches) long, with brownish olive upperparts, white belly, and rusty-orange face and breast. The European robin feeds mainly on insects. More The European Robin - National Bird of Britain Britain chose the European Robin Erithacus rubecula as their national bird in the 1960s. The bird is lovely, has a beautiful singing voice, and is very protective over its territory. The bird is well known to gardeners, as it enjoys poking around for worms and insects in gardens. They enjoy fruits and berries as well. They are fairly small and both sexes look alike. Parents may raise up to 3 batches of young each year. More The European Robin was featured in a main way in the movie Gladiator. At the very beginning of the movie, General Maximus is preparing for the battle.

He comes across a European Robin, which sits and watches him for a while before flying away. Maximus watches it leave. With the fierce territoriality of this bird, it both represented the gardens of Maximus' home, and the determination of the Germans to protect their homeland. More about birding in Gladiator. More European Robin on Birch = European Robin on Birch - Price: $110.00 ea - Stock#: W4193 Price: $110. More European Robin on Bi... Condition: new Stock#: W4193 European Robin on Birch View PRICE: $110.00 Shipping is FREE! Return to go to Bovano of Cheshire Home Page More Picture of Erithacus rubecula above has been licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial .

Permission: Some rights reserved Mystery bird: European robin, Erithacus rubecula | @GrrlScientist | Science | The Guardian Mystery bird: European robin, Erithacus rubecula This familiar European mystery bird is associated with a lot of folklore Friday 27 July 2012 12.42 EDT First published on Friday 27 July 2012 12.42 EDT Share on Messenger Close European robin, Erithacus rubecula (protonym, Motacilla Rubecula), Linnaeus, 1758, known by a flock of common names, such as the English robin, robin redbreast, and the robin, photographed in Novellana in the Principality of Asturias , the Kingdom of Spain (Europe). Image: David Álvarez , 16 February 2010 (with permission, for GrrlScientist/Guardian use only) [ velociraptorise ]. Canon EOS 50D, 1/250 sec, f/14.0, 400 mm, iso:200 Question: This familiar European mystery bird is associated with a lot of folklore.

Can you share some of this folklore? Can you name this bird's taxonomic family and species? Response: This is an adult European robin, Erithacus rubecula, a small passerine that was recently removed from Turdidae, the thrush family, into Muscicapidae, the Old World flycatcher family. Currently, there are three species in the genus, Erithacus, but this will likely change soon. Thanks to convergent evolution, the Japanese robin, E. akahige, and the Ryūkyū robin, E. komadori, are currently placed in Erithacus, but recent research suggests they should be removed, leaving the European robin as the sole species in this genus. Robins are mainly insectivorous birds that range widely over most of western Eurasia. They will also consume fruits and berries as well as seeds in winter. Some populations are migratory, whilst others are territorial residents (as in the British Isles). Robins construct a cup nest in a sheltered place, and are noted for some of the unusual and amusing nest site choices they make. For example, nests have been found on machinery, in flower pots and even on hats.

Notable for being quite tame in the British Isles, this bird will eat from one's hand. The reason for this confiding nature may be due to the close relationship between British gardeners and robins, as one commenter, jtappin, explains: My understanding of the reason for their tameness in the British Isles as compared with continental Europe is that we lack earth-moving megafauna (wild boar) so they rely on humans to turn over the soil and expose the small invertebrates they eat. [ link ] Robins are very popular, especially in British Isles, where they commonly appear in British folklore and as mascots for local sports clubs. The Mystery Birds reference library: Erithacus rubecula, Robin Scientific Name: Erithacus rubecula Common Name: Robin Erithacus rubecula, more commonly known as the Robin, measures approximately 14cm in length. The brown back and wings and the red face and breast distinguish it from any other UK species. Young Robins have speckly brown breasts.

The commonest call heard is a loud and rapid 'tic-tic-tic' but their song, heard throughout the year, apart from a few weeks in mid-summer, is a melodious medley of high pitched trills and warbles. Insects, spiders and other small invertebrates are the main diet of the Robin, although small seeds and soft fruits are also eaten and all kinds of foods are taken from bird tables in winter. Robins have a special liking for live meal-worms and will sometimes take them from the hand. Their nest is a cup of leaves and moss, lined with hair and fine roots, built in dense vegetation or in a cavity. Common almost everywhere, they can be found in woods, parks, hedgerows and gardens. Few British gardens, even in towns, are without a robin. Strongly territorial for most of the year. is a website dedicated to showing the immense diversity of UK nature and wildlife. Our vast range of habitats, from lowland arable to snow covered mountains, from storm-ravaged coastlines to peaceful inland freshwater lakes and rivers, from dry, sandy heaths to deciduous and coniferous forests, all these habitats contribute to the abundance of UK nature.

We have wild birds in huge numbers either residing or visiting our shores (597 recorded species as at July 2013) and we must also not forget the humble back garden with its grass lawns, flower beds filled with nectar rich flowers, shrubs and trees, all designed to attract huge numbers of insects such as bees, moths, butterflies and hoverflies; and finally the small ponds which provide safe havens for frogs, toads, newts and even slow worms and grass snakes. is the showcase for my personal passion, photographing uknature in all its glory. I sincerely hope you all enjoy the fruits of my labours. This site and all images contained therein is © Jeremy Lee 2004 - 2016. All Rights Reserved. Site design by DDS .

Web Development by Stuart Lee at updownleftright.net European robin | Birds Wiki | Fandom powered by Wikia Species: Erithacus rubecula The European Robin (Erithacus rubecula), most commonly known as the Robin, is a small insectivorous passerine bird that was formerly classed as a member of the thrush family (Turdidae), but is now considered to be an Old World flycatcher (Muscicapidae). Around 12.5–14.0 cm (5.0–5.5 in) in length, the male and female are similar in colouration, with an orange breast and face lined with grey, brown upperparts and a whitish belly. It is found across Europe, east to Western Siberia and south to North Africa; it is sedentary in most of its range except the far north. Contents Edit The adult European Robin is 12.5–14.0 cm (5.0–5.5 in) long and weighs 16–22 g (9/16–13/16 oz), with a wingspan of 20–22 cm (8–9 in).

The male and female bear similar plumage; an orange breast and face, lined by a bluish grey on the sides of the neck and chest. The upperparts are brownish, or olive-tinged in British birds, and the belly whitish, while the legs and feet are brown. The bill and eyes are black. Juveniles are a spotted brown and white in colouration, with patches of orange gradually appearing. Vocalisations The Robin has a fluting, warbling song in the breeding season, when they often sing into the evening, singing robin and sometimes into the night, leading some to confuse them with the Nightingale (Luscinia megarhynchos). Nocturnal singing in urban Robins occurs in places that are noisy during the day, suggesting that they sing at night because it is quieter, and their message can propagate through the environment more clearly. Daytime noise outperformed night-time light pollution as a predictor of nocturnal singing activity in urban robins in Sheffield, England. Both the male and female sing during the winter, when they hold separate territories, the song then sounding more plaintive than the summer version.

The female Robin moves a short distance from the summer nesting territory to a nearby area that is more suitable for winter feeding. The male Robin keeps the same territory throughout the year. Distribution and habitat Edit The Robin occurs in Eurasia east to Western Siberia, south to Algeria and on the Atlantic islands as far west as the Azores and Madeira. It is not found in Iceland. In the south east, it reaches the Caucasus range. British Robins are largely resident but a small minority, usually female, migrate to southern Europe during winter, a few as far as Spain. Scandinavian and Russian Robins migrate to Britain and western Europe to escape the harsher winters. These migrants can be recognised by the greyer tone of the upper parts of their bodies and duller orange breast. The European Robin prefers spruce woods in northern Europe, contrasting with its preference for parks and gardens in the British Isles. Attempts to introduce the European Robin into Australia and New Zealand in the latter part of the 19th century were unsuccessful. Birds were released around Melbourne, Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington and Dunedin by various local Acclimatisation societies, with none becoming established.

There was a similar outcome in North America as birds failed to establish after being released in Long Island, New York in 1852, Oregon in 1889-92, and the Saanich Peninsula in British Columbia in 1908-10. Behaviour Edit The Robin is diurnal, although has been reported to be active hunting insects on moonlit nights or near artificial light at night. Well known to British and Irish gardeners, it is relatively unafraid of people and likes to come close when anyone is digging the soil, in order to look out for earthworms and other food freshly turned up. Indeed, the robin is considered to be a gardener's friend and for various folklore reasons the robin would never be harmed. In continental Europe on the other hand, robins were hunted and killed as with most other small birds, and are more wary. Robins also approach large wild animals, such as wild boar and other animals which disturb the ground, to look for any food that might be brought to the surface. In autumn and winter, robins will supplement their usual diet of terrestrial invertebrates, such as spiders, worms and insects, with berries and fruit.

They will also eat seed mixtures placed on bird-tables. Male Robins are noted for their highly aggressive territorial behaviour. They will attack other males that stray into their territories, and have been observed attacking other small birds without apparent provocation. Such attacks sometimes lead to fatalities, accounting for up to 10% of adult Robin deaths in some areas. Because of high mortality in the first year of life, a Robin has an average life expectancy of 1.1 years; however, once past its first year it can expect to live longer and one Robin has been recorded as reaching the age of 12 years. A spell of very low temperature in winter may also result in significant mortality. This species is parasitised by the moorhen flea, Dasypsyllus gallinulae. Breeding Edit Robins may choose a wide variety of sites for building a nest, in fact anything which can offer some form of depression or hole may be considered. As well as the usual crevices, or sheltered banks, odder objects include pieces of machinery, barbecues, bicycle handlebars, bristles on upturned brooms, discarded kettles, wateri a robin nest. ng cans, flower pots and even hats.

The nest is composed of moss, leaves and grass, with finer grass, hair and feathers for lining. Two or three clutches of five or six eggs are laid throughout the breeding season, which commences in March in Britain and Ireland. The eggs are a cream, buff or white speckled or blotched with reddish-brown colour, often more heavily so at the larger end. When juvenile birds fly from the nests they are mottled brown in colour all over. After two to three months out of the nest, the juvenile bird grows some orange feathers under its chin and over a similar period this patch gradually extends to complete the adult appearance. Robin videos, photos and facts - Erithacus rubecula | ARKive Top Robin biology Although the robin has been recorded feeding on a very wide range of food, the majority of the diet consists of invertebrates , soft fruit and seeds (3) . As most of the food is taken from the ground, snowfall can cause huge numbers of deaths (3) . Robins are very territorial birds throughout the year; in winter both males and females defend their own territory , and males often hold the same territory throughout their lives (3) .

Territories are defended by means of singing from a prominent perch, and by aggressively driving intruders away (6) . During the breeding season, a female is allowed into a male's territory ; she makes the cup-shaped nest of dead leaves and moss with a lining of hair (6) . The nest is often located in unusual places, such as in old teapots, jacket pockets, and on shelves in buildings, as well as in more 'natural' locations such as amongst ivy (6) . After the end of March, between four and six white or faintly bluish, speckled eggs are laid (7) , and incubated by the female for up to 15 days. After hatching the young are fed by the female on items of food brought to the nest by the male (6) . Two broods are usually produced each year, although a pair may occasionally go on to rear a third (6) . Not surprisingly, there is much folklore surrounding the robin, and it has featured in many poems and fables. Furthermore, in Britain the robin is closely associated with Christmas.

The first postmen wore bright red waistcoats, and were popularly known as 'Robins'; this may explain not only why robins are often featured on Christmas cards, but also why they are frequently depicted holding a letter in the beak, delivering the mail (5) . Top Robin range Widely distributed throughout Britain, with the exception of islands and the higher hills of Scotland (6) . The robin also occurs throughout much of Europe, reaching as far east as central Siberia, as well as parts of North Africa and Turkey (6) . Erithacus rubecula - The Full Wiki The Full Wiki More info on Erithacus rubecula Wikis Erithacus rubecula: Wikis Advertisements Note: Many of our articles have direct quotes from sources you can cite, within the Wikipedia article! This article doesn't yet, but we're working on it! See more info or our list of citable articles . (Redirected to European Robin article) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia European Robin Subspecies 7-10, see text.

The European Robin (Erithacus rubecula), most commonly known in Anglophone Europe simply as the Robin, is a small insectivorous passerine bird that was formerly classed as a member of the thrush family (Turdidae), but is now considered to be an Old World flycatcher (Muscicapidae). Around 12.5–14.0 cm (5.0–5.5 in) in length, the male and female are similar in colouration, with an orange breast and face lined with grey, brown upperparts and a whitish belly. It is found across Europe, east to Western Siberia and south to North Africa; it is sedentary in most of its range except the far north. The term Robin is also applied to some unrelated birds with red or orange breasts. These include the American Robin (Turdus migratorius), which is a thrush , and the Australian red robins of the genus Petroica , which are more closely related to crows .

Contents 8 External links Taxonomy The European Robin was one of the many species originally described by Linnaeus in his 18th century work, Systema Naturae , under the name of Motacilla rubecula. [2] Its specific epithet rubecula is a diminutive derived from the Latin ruber 'red'. [3] The genus Erithacus was created by French naturalist Georges Cuvier in 1800, giving the bird its current binomial name of E. rubecula. [4] The distinctive orange breast of both sexes contributed to the European Robin's original name of redbreast (orange as the name of a colour was unknown in English until the sixteenth century, by which time the fruit of that name had been introduced). In the fifteenth century, when it became popular to give human names to familiar species, the bird came to be known as Robin redbreast, which was eventually shortened to Robin. [5] Other older English names for the bird include Ruddock and Robinet. In American literature of the late 19th century, this robin was frequently called the English Robin.

[6] The Frisian robyntsje or robynderke is similar to the English name, [7] while Dutch Roodborstje and French Rougegorge both refer to the distinctively coloured front. [8] The Robin belongs to a group of mainly insectivorous birds that have been variously assigned to the thrushes or " flycatchers ", depending on how these groups were perceived taxonomically . Eventually, the flycatcher-thrush assemblage was re-analysed and the genus Erithacus assigned to a group of thrush-like true flycatchers, the tribe Saxicolini, that also includes the nightingale and the Old World chats . [9] Two Eastern Palearctic species are usually placed in the genus Erithacus, the Japanese Robin (E. akahige) and the Ryūkyū Robin (E. komadori), the latter being a restricted-range island species. Biogeography and mtDNA cytochrome b sequence data indicate that these might better be classified with some Far Eastern "nightingales", leaving only the European species in Erithacus.

[10] Advertisements Subspecies In its large continental Eurasian range, Robins vary somewhat, but do not form discrete populations that might be considered subspecies . [11] [12] Thus, Robin subspecies are mainly distinguished by forming resident populations on islands and in mountainous areas. The British subspecies, Erithacus rubecula melophilus, differs only slightly from Continental birds. The Robin from the British Isles (Erithacus rubecula melophilus) also occurs on the Continental side of the English channel and as a vagrant in adjacent regions. E. r. witherbyi from Northwestern Africa , Corsica , and Sardinia closely resembles melophilus but for a shorter wing length. [13] The northeasternmost birds, large and fairly washed-out in colour are E. r. tataricus. In the southeast of its range, E. r. valens of the Crimean Peninsula , E. r. caucasicus of the Caucasus and N Transcaucasia , and E. r. hyrcanus southeastwards into Iran are generally accepted as significantly distinct. [13] On Madeira and the Azores , the local population has been described as E.

r. microrhynchos, and although not distinct in morphology , its isolation seems to suggests the subspecies is valid (but see below). The most distinct birds are those of Tenerife and Gran Canaria (E. (r.) superbus), which may be a distinct species, the Tenerife Robin, Erithacus superbus. It is readily distinguished by a white eye-ring, an intensely coloured breast, and a grey line that separates the orange-red from the brown colouration. Its belly is entirely white. [14] Robins from the western Canary Islands – El Hierro , La Palma and La Gomera – on the other hand are indistinguishable from European E. r. rubecula. [13] While cytochrome b sequence data and vocalisations [15] indicate that the Tenerife/Gran Canaria Robins are indeed very distinct and probably derived from colonization by mainland birds some 2 million years ago , [16] The W Canary Islands populations are younger ( Middle Pleistocene ) and only beginning to diverge genetically. In addition, Tenerife and Gran Canaria birds are well distinct genetically and the latter have been named E.

(r.) marionae; a thorough comparison between superbus and marionae is pending. Initial results suggest that Gran Canaria birds have distinctly shorter (c.10%) wings than Tenerife superbus. [11] Other robins The larger American Robin (Turdus migratorius) is named for its similarity to the European Robin, but the two birds are not closely related. The similarity lies largely in the orange chest patch in both species. This American species was incorrectly shown "feathering its nest" in London in the film Mary Poppins , [17] but it only occurs in the UK as a very rare vagrant. [18] Some Central and South American Turdus thrushes are also named as robins such as the Mountain Robin (T. plebejus). [19] The Australian "robin redbreast", more correctly the Scarlet Robin (Petroica multicolor), is more closely related to the crows and jays than it is to the European Robin. It belongs to the family Petroicidae , commonly called "Australasian robins".

The Red-billed Leiothrix (Leiothrix lutea) is sometimes named "Pekin Robin" by aviculturalists . Yet another group of Old World Flycatchers, this time from Africa and Asia is the genus Copsychus; its members are known as Magpie-robins , one of which, the Oriental Magpie Robin (C. saularis), is the national bird of Bangladesh. Description Juvenile The adult European Robin is 12.5–14.0 cm (5.0–5.5 in) long and weighs 16–22 g (9/16–13/16 oz ), with a wingspan of 20–22 cm (8–9 in). The male and female bear similar plumage; an orange breast and face (more strongly coloured in the otherwise similar British subspecies E. r. mesophilus), lined by a bluish grey on the sides of the neck and chest. The upperparts are brownish, or olive-tinged in British birds, and the belly whitish, while the legs and feet are brown. The bill and eyes are black.

Juveniles are a spotted brown and white in colouration, with patches of orange gradually appearing. [20] Vocalisations The Robin has a fluting, warbling song in the breeding season, when they often sing into the evening, and sometimes into the night, leading some to confuse them with the Nightingale (Luscinia megarhynchos). Nocturnal singing in urban Robins occurs in places that are noisy during the day, suggesting that they sing at night because it is quieter, and their message can propagate through the environment more clearly. Daytime noise outperformed night-time light pollution as a predictor of nocturnal singing activity in urban robins in Sheffield , England. [21] Both the male and female sing during the winter, when they hold separate territories, the song then sounding more plaintive than the summer version. [20] The female Robin moves a short distance from the summer nesting territory to a nearby area that is more suitable for winter feeding. The male Robin keeps the same territory throughout the year. Distribution and habitat The Robin occurs in Eurasia east to Western Siberia , south to Algeria and on the Atlantic islands as far west as the Azores and Madeira . It is not found in Iceland .

[20] In the south east, it reaches the Caucasus range. British Robins are largely resident but a small minority, usually female, migrate to southern Europe during winter, a few as far as Spain . Scandinavian and Russian Robins migrate to Britain and western Europe to escape the harsher winters. These migrants can be recognised by the greyer tone of the upper parts of their bodies and duller orange breast. The European Robin prefers spruce woods in northern Europe, contrasting with its preference for parks and gardens in the British Isles. [22] Attempts to introduce the European Robin into Australia and New Zealand in the latter part of the 19th century were unsuccessful. Birds were released around Melbourne , Auckland , Christchurch , Wellington and Dunedin by various local Acclimatisation societies , with none becoming established. There was a similar outcome in North America as birds failed to establish after being released in Long Island , New York in 1852, Oregon in 1889-92, and the Saanich Peninsula in British Columbia in 1908-10.

[23] Behaviour Feeding from the hand The Robin is diurnal , although has been reported to be active hunting insects on moonlit nights or near artificial light at night. [12] Well known to British and Irish gardeners, it is relatively unafraid of people and likes to come close when anyone is digging the soil, in order to look out for earthworms and other food freshly turned up; when the gardener stops for a break the robin might use the handle of the spade as a lookout point. Indeed, the robin is considered by many to be a gardener's friend and for various folklore reasons the robin would never be harmed. In continental Europe on the other hand, robins were hunted and killed as most other small birds and are more wary. [20] Robins also approach large wild animals, such as wild boar and other animals which disturb the ground, to look for any food that might be brought to the surface. In autumn and winter, robins will supplement their usual diet of terrestrial invertebrates, such as spiders, worms and insects, with berries and fruit. [22] They will also eat seed mixtures placed on bird-tables.

[20] A robin's egg Male Robins are noted for their highly aggressive territorial behaviour. They will ruthlessly attack other males that stray into their territories, and have been observed attacking other small birds without apparent provocation. Such attacks sometimes lead to fatalities, accounting for up to 10% of adult Robin deaths in some areas. [24] Because of high mortality in the first year of life, a Robin has an average life expectancy of 1.1 years; however, once past its first year it can expect to live longer and one Robin has been recorded as reaching the age of 12 years. [25] Predators include the domestic cat, which kills 15 times as many birds as do birds of prey such as the owl or sparrowhawk. A spell of very low temperature in winter may also result in significant mortality. [24] Breeding Female robin in its nest, incubating a clutch of eggs Robins may choose a wide variety of sites for building a nest, in fact anything which can offer some form of depression or hole may be considered.

As well as the usual crevices, or sheltered banks, odder objects include pieces of machinery, barbecues, bicycle handlebars, bristles on upturned brooms, discarded kettles, watering cans, flower pots and even hats. The nest is composed of moss, leaves and grass, with finer grass, hair and feathers for lining. Two or three clutches of five or six eggs are laid throughout the breeding season, which commences in March in Britain and Ireland . The eggs are a cream, buff or white speckled or blotched with reddish-brown colour, often more heavily so at the larger end. [26] When juvenile birds fly from the nests they are mottled brown in colour all over. After two to three months out of the nest, the juvenile bird grows some orange feathers under its chin and over a similar period this patch gradually extends to complete the adult appearance. Cultural depictions 1880 Engraving The robin features prominently in British folklore, and that of northwestern France, but much less so in other parts of Europe. [27] It was held to be a storm-cloud bird and sacred to Thor , the god of thunder, in Norse mythology .

[28] More recently, it has become strongly associated with Christmas , taking a starring role on many a Christmas card since the mid 19th century. [29] The Robin has also appeared on many Christmas postage stamps. An old British folk tale seeks to explain the Robin's distinctive breast. Legend has it that when Jesus was dying on the cross, the Robin, then simply brown in colour, flew to his side and sang into his ear in order to comfort him in his pain. The blood from his wounds stained the Robin's breast, and thereafter all Robins got the mark of Christ's blood upon them. [28] An alternative legend has it that its breast was scorched fetching water for souls in Purgatory. [29] The association with Christmas, however, more probably arises from the fact that postmen in Victorian Britain wore red uniforms and were nicknamed "Robin"; the Robin featured on the Christmas card is an emblem of the postman delivering the card. [30] Robins also feature in the traditional children's tale, Babes in the Wood ; the birds cover the dead bodies of the children.

[29] In the 1960s in a highly publicised vote, the Robin was adopted as the national bird of the UK . Unlike other countries, official emblems such as flags and anthems become national by convention and usage (see Union Jack and God Save The Queen ) rather than by vote in Parliament . The Robin was used as a symbol of a Bird Protection Society. [31] Several English and Welsh professional football clubs are nicknamed "The Robins"; Bristol City , Swindon Town , Cheltenham Town and, traditionally, Wrexham FC : the nickname is derived from the clubs' home colours being red . A small bird is an unusual choice, though it is thought to symbolise agility in darting around the field. [32] In addition to the football club, the Swindon Robins is the full name of the local Speedway promotion. It is also the nickname of the English Rugby League team Hull Kingston Rovers . The nickname is derived from the club's home colours, of white with a red band. [33] Notes and references ^ BirdLife International (2004). Erithacus rubecula. 2006. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species .

IUCN 2006. . Retrieved on 12 May 2006. Database entry includes a brief justification of why this species is of least concern ^ Linnaeus, C (1758) (in Latin). Systema naturae per regna tria naturae, secundum classes, ordines, genera, species, cum characteribus, differentiis, synonymis, locis. Tomus I. Editio decima, reformata.. Holmiae. (Laurentii Salvii).. pp. 188. "M. grisea, gula pectoreque fulvis." ^ Simpson, D.P. (1979). Cassell's Latin Dictionary (5 ed.). London: Cassell Ltd.. pp. 883. ISBN 0-304-52257-0. ^ (French) Cuvier, G. (1800) Lecons d'Anatomie Comparée Paris. ^ Lack, D. (1950). Robin Redbreast. Oxford: Oxford, Clarendon Press. pp. 44. ^ Sylvester, Charles H. (2006).

Journeys Through Bookland. BiblioBazaar, LLC. pp. 155. ISBN 1426421176. ^ J. Simpson, E. Weiner (eds), ed (1989). "Robin". Oxford English Dictionary (2nd edition ed.). Oxford: Clarendon Press. ISBN 0-19-861186-2. ^ Holland J (1965). Bird Spotting. London: Blandford. pp. 225. ^ Monroe Jr. BL, Sibley CG (1993). A World Checklist of Birds. New Haven and London: Yale University Press. pp. 228. ISBN 0-300-05549-8. ^ Seki, Shin-Ichi (2006): The origin of the East Asian Erithacus robin, Erithacus komadori, inferred from cytochrome b sequence data. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 39(3): 899–905.

doi : 10.1016/j.ympev.2006.01.028 Erithacus rubecula Birds chirp - Android Apps on Google Play Erithacus rubecula Birds chirp ( 13) Description The European robin (Erithacus rubecula), most commonly known in Anglophone Europe simply as the robin, is a small insectivorous passerine bird, specifically a chat, that was formerly classed as a member of the thrush family (Turdidae), but is now considered to be an Old World flycatcher. Around 12.5–14.0 cm (5.0–5.5 in) in length, the male and female are similar in colouration, with an orange breast and face lined with grey, brown upperparts and a whitish belly. It is found across Europe, east to Western Siberia and south to North Africa; it is sedentary in most of its range except the far north. The term robin is also applied to some birds in other families with red or orange breasts.

These include the American robin (Turdus migratorius), which is a thrush, and the Australian red robins of the genus Petroica, members of a family whose relationships are unclear. ★ Joojle Application ★ European Robin - Erithacus rebecula European Robin By Laura Klappenbach Updated February 24, 2016. The European robin (Erithacus rebecula) is a small perching bird that can be found throughout many parts of Europe. It has an orange-red breast and face, olive-brown wings and back, a white to light-brown belly. You can sometimes see a blue-grey fringe around the bottom part of the robin's red breast patch. European robins have brown legs and their tail is bluntly square. They have large, black eyes and a small black bill. European robins have a lovely warm, warble that consists of a melodic rippling of notes. In autumn and winter, some say their song becomes more mournful and melancholy than it is in spring and summer. Their call is a sharp, highly pitched 'twick' or 'tick' that can be repeated in a series of rapid outbursts.

This call is used as a warning signal or as a proclamation of their territory. European robins are notoriously territorial and can be quite aggressive to fellow members of their species who are unwelcome within their claimed plot of earth. continue reading below our video 10 Facts About the Titanic That You Don't Know Robins are shy birds throughout most of their range but in the British Isles, they have acquired a charming tameness and are frequent, honored guests in back yard gardens, and parks. Their feeding behavior historically involved following foraging animals such as the wild boar as it dug through the soil. The robin would hop down to pick up any insects and grubs that were uncovered by the animals digging. Now, robins have found gardeners to be as productive with their earth-turning as wild boars and robins are known to be not far behind a human digging in the garden. Robins breed from April through August. Female robins construct a nest in a well-sheltered location such as a hedge or densely vegetated bank. Their nest is cup-shaped and is constructed out of leaves and grass. The female lays 4-6 eggs which require incubation for 13-14 days.

After hatching, the young are ready to fledge in two weeks. As many as three broods may be raised in one year. European robins are not endangered or threatened and their populations are increasing in some parts of their range. European robins are widespread throughout Europe. They are year-round residents of many areas of Europe (Great Britain, Spain, France, Italy). In summer, some populations migrate to northern and eastern Europe but in winter, they return to the warmer areas of Europe and North Africa. European robins inhabit open woodlands, hedgerows, heaths, town parks and gardens. Classification Animals > Chordates > Vertebrates > Tetrapods > Amniotes > Birds > Perching Birds > European Robin The Genus Erithacus consists of a group of thrush-like true flycatchers and in addition to the robin, includes species such as the nightingale and the Old World chats.

The European robin of the British Isles is considered a subspecies, Erithacus rubecula melophilus, and differs slightly in color (having a more vibrant breast coloration and upper parts more olive-brown than grey-brown in color) from the rest of the population throughout mainland Europe (Erithacus rubecula rubecula). Species :: European Robin European Robin Species in Focus European robin (Erithacus rubecula) Instantly recognisable due to its rusty-red breast - the European robin was crowned Britain’s national bird in the 1960s. Except for the higher hills of Scotland this member of the chats and thrushes (Turdidae) family is widely distributed throughout Britain – there are an estimated 5.8 million annual breeding pairs. One of the few birds in Britain which can be heard singing throughout the winter when unusually both the males and females sing. The robin is commonly associated with Christmas and enshrined in British folklore due to featuring in several fables and poems. No other bird has perhaps had as much influence on British culture as the robin.

Richard Kennedy (c) 2009 Robins in Greater Manchester Robins are a common sight in Greater Manchester, during winter put out some bird feed in your garden or on your window ledge, quietly wait and sooner or later you are almost guaranteed to see a robin. If you want to observe breeding robins, during spring in Greater Manchester, set up a nest box. Most robin nests are located on or near the ground in climbing plants, hedge-banks, tree roots, piles of logs or any other fully concealed cavity. In order to tempt a robin into a bird box it needs to be open-fronted and hidden in something like climber plants. The robin is known for nesting in some bizarre places, including old teapots and coat pockets. Robins in Greater Manchester are no exception, remarkably a robin in Manchester even nested in the roof of a van - twice! Sadly however their sometimes unusual nesting behaviour can be to their own downfall. The Manchester resident who found the robin nest on top of his van moved the nest unaware this would cause the parents to abandon their eggs. If you come across a bird's nest do not try and move it.

Birds are very sensitive to any disturbance during nest building and egg laying and will easily desert the nest if they think it has been discovered. It is best to stay clear of a nest until incubation. If you have a nest issue or you are in doubt contact your local RSPB office for advice before doing anything. Territorial behaviour The robin’s symbolic red breast is a means of grabbing attention, but not for female courtship, their red breast is ‘war paint’ warning other robins to stay away from their territory. A feisty and territorial species, robins aggressively drive intruding robins away and sometimes they even fight to the death. Ten percent of robins die in a fight with another robin. Even a patch of red can trigger a territorial response - in experiments fake robins placed in to a robin’s territory were often attacked and sometimes destroyed. The characteristic image of a robin on a spade handle is a consequence of their territorial instinct. Robins seek a favourable lookout post and defend their territory by singing from a prominent perch or when necessary aggressively driving intruders away. Despite their fierce territorial nature, robins do not normally bother other species of birds near their nests.

The parental instincts of robins are highly developed, which has led to frequent reports of robins feeding the chicks or fledglings of other species. Breeding behaviour Robins have been known to start courtship as early as January, but that is only when it has been a mild winter, normally their breeding season begins in March. Robins pair for the duration of the breeding season and their long breeding season enables them to produce multiple broods each year. Typically robins have two broods each year, however three and even four broods a year are not unheard of and nestlings can be found up until late July. Robins need a high number of broods because only fifty-seven percent of eggs from completed clutches result in fledged youngsters. Once hatched both parents look after the nestlings for up to three weeks after fledging. Frequently the care of the fledged young is left to the male, while the female prepares herself for the next nesting effort. Juvenile robins lack the red breast and are speckled with browns and buffs. Graham Jenkinson (c) 2008 Did you know?

The robins’ close association with Christmas is argued to be because the first postmen wore bright red waistcoats, and were popularly known as 'Robins'. Explaining why robins are often featured on Christmas cards and frequently depicted holding a letter in their beak. When the ground is frozen during winter one of the way in which robins manage to get food is thanks to moles. In the creation of mole-hills insects and larva are brought up from below the frozen surface. Gardeners are also very useful providers for robins because they turn up the ground much like mole-hills. In Christian folklore the robin got its red breast because it plucked a thorn from Jesus’ crown-of-thorns during his crucifixion. A drop of Jesus’ blood fell on to the bird and thereafter they had a red breast – for Christians the robin has long been associated with charity and piety. A study found that female robins can make vocal calls containing fertility and location information. These calls are begs for food which apparently forces their paired male to be attentive or risk losing paternity. References

Question: How is the bird Erithacus rubecula more commonly known?
Answer: Robin